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A 2008 Build-Up Thread

29K views 83 replies 12 participants last post by  KLR Kaos 
#1 · (Edited)
**Mods, if this needs to be moved anywhere more appropriate, please feel free ok! :) **

Hi everyone! I thought I'd share a build-up of my 2008 model which I took delivery of the other day. :) There's quite an extensive list of things which will be done to this bike over the coming months, so I hope you all enjoy watching the progress happen. Of course, all comments and suggestions are most welcomed! :p

I'll start with the condition of the bike as it was at time of taking ownership of it. It had covered a fraction over 23k klm's by one owner, had never been off road, and never been dropped. It was used as a commuter bike along the freeway, hadn't had a hard life, and was clearly very well looked after. A new set of Dunlop 606's were fitted, as well front and rear sprockets and a new battery just prior to the sale., and apart from that it was stock standard.

Now for some pics after a morning of cleaning and detailing it, using a full complement of Meguires products. :50:







 
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#3 ·
Those with a keen eye will have noticed on the dashboard pic a GPS unit fitted below the handle-bars, which for the time being is a temporary location until I give more thought to a better spot. It's a Navman Ezy15...not a particularly flashy unit I know, but it tells me where I'll be going and also what the time iswhen riding, hehe! It's mounted via a RAM bar-mount



I have also fitted an iJet controller mounted on the base of the left hand mirror. This is a wireless and waterproof ipod/iphone controller, and something which I just love!! The location just seemed to be ideal for this. I've also bought a pair of in-helmet headphones, and am going to fit these to my new helmet when I pick it up in a few weeks time.





I'm currently waiting on a lot parts to arrive in the post, so will have to see what shows up for the next installment! :)
 
#5 ·
Thanks mate! There's a LOT of sweet parts and accessories en-route from all corners of the world atm, and my patience is at the mercy of the postal services this week, arghh!! I'm itching to make a real start on the build-up...not just fit a couple of little gizmos which I had on my last bike, hehe!

Put it this way, this will definitely be a build-up to keep an eye on. :D
 
#6 ·
Well it looks like a quiet day for parts arriving...the only thing which just arrived in the post was a sticker for the rear fender to display my UHF channel. Unfortunately it came in black, not the white which I had requested. D'oh! I'm going to send a message to the guy and get him to send another one...but seeing as he's going to have to remake it, have decided to go with silver to match the bike (and it's still highly visable). This is one of those stuff-ups which has worked out ok, lol

 
#7 · (Edited)
Alrighty...some of you may be aware of what parts I'm currently waiting on, but for the others benefit, below is a list. It's a solid start for now (and while the wallet recovers especially after just getting the bike), hehe! There's a lot more to come very soon though! :D

- Happy Trails nerf bars
- Happy Trails engine guard
- Happy Trails sump guard
- Happy Trails rallye windscreen system
- Barkbuster handguards
- Oxford hot grips
- Heated seat pad
- Moose Racing seat cover
- Garmin 62S cradle
- Garmin 62S wiring kit
- Mini USB wiring kit
- 12v socket wiring kit
- Flat mount RAM ball (for my Navman road GPS)
- UHF channel sticker for rear fender
- Moose Racing route sheet holder (this should be a hint of the direction this build is going, hehehe!)
 
#8 ·
Next on the list are the following items:
- Braided brake lines
- SBS brake pads
- Stompgrips for the tank
- Subframe upgrade kit
- Oxford digital clock/thermometer
- Fuse block & relays
- Zero Gravity double bubble screen (clear)
- Happy Trails fork brace
- Happy Trails rear master cylinder bracket
- Happy Trails rear master cylinder guard
- Happy Trails centre stand
- Touratech headlight mesh guard

Still weighing up:
- Luggage (still deliberating between Wolfman and Kriega)
- Rotopax fuel cans and carrier system
- Pivot footpegs
- Handlebar risers
- Front fork springs
- Rear shock
- Matching gear shifter and rear brake levers
- Spot lights
- ShuRoo or other wildlife deterrent
- LED brake light and indicators (to help save the power)
- Toolkit (still figuring out exactly what I need)
- Spare parts and inner tubes

I intend to do as thorough a write-up regarding the installations (yes with lots of photos), impressions of the products, delivery times (for the benefit of fellow Aussies), and what impact they have on the bike/riding/functionality. :)
 
#9 · (Edited)
I've been away for a few days with work, but today I got a very enthusiastic SMS from my housemate saying that a heap of items had arrived in the post...well he wasn't kidding!!! I'm just gutted to have another 3 days of work so far away from home before I can finally get cracking fitting all this stuff!!!

*this is just a pic of the major items, not the misc fittings, etc*


I'm absolutely flawed at how quick Happy Trails posted to Australia...1.5weeks delivery, huge boxes, and was a painless exercise! The welding, finish, and design of the goodies which I bought from them is most impressive. They really took a lot of effort to ensure the parts were well protected for transit too, and their communication was brilliant too, which I was also impressed by. Double-thumbs up to them!!

Here's the HT sump-guard:


The HT engine guard (I'll be removing the "highway pegs" and their mounting tabs as they're a bit of a wank for my purposes tbh):


The HT tank/radiator/fairing guards:
 
#10 · (Edited)
The Barkbusters (purchased in Australia and all proceeds go to charity) :) 1 week delivery


The HT rallye screen kit:


The wiring kit for the Garmin 62S GPS: (2 week delivery from the US)


The cradle for the Garmin 62S GPS (2 week delivery from the US):


The marine-grade 12v power socket: (2 week delivery from the US)
 
#11 ·
I should also give special mention to the guy who made up my UHF channel sticker and stuffed up initially. This champion (pootle07 on ebay) not only rectified the problem straight away, but sent me 2 large stickers and 1 smaller one (instead of the single which is what I'd ordered) in silver...all for no extra charge. :)

And the thing which, for the life of me I cannot remember what package it came with (I was ripping bags and boxes apart like a kid at christmas!), but had us in stitches with laughter...now we know what Tootsie Rolls are, and what a nice way to show us, hahaha!

 
#13 ·
I am in

Great build list friend. I have a twin to your 08 and love it. Two things I might tell you to have on your short list. Those rubber coated footpegs need to go. They get wet and slick, bad things trust me. Once you replace them take off the foot rests on your PD pegs and put them there. They work great. Second, get some handlebar set backs. I dont know what size I have but it puts you in a more comfortable riding position. Looks like a good one, keep posting friend.
 
#14 ·
I also have a 2008 with quiet the build on it aswell. You went a different way then I did and I'm pretty stoked to see how it turns out. Looks like its gonna be great! I'll be following this thread.



'Life's Journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways,totally worn out, shouting, 'Holy shit .... What a Ride!
Cheers, Nick
 
#15 ·
Sorry I've been away for a while with work, and was reunited with the KLR yesterday...I spent much of the day running errands around town on it, doing some shopping, etc. I've really hit a groove with this bike and cannot stop grinning while riding it! :D

One thing which I have noticed is the complete inability to shift gears up with MX boots...I'm figuring that either adjusting the lever a notch or two on the spline or replacing the lever is the right fix. What has me stumped is the after-market options...I'm wanting to buy the Moose Racing gear lever which claims to be 1" extention, but in which direction is it extended, who has one, what are their opinions, etc? :p
 
#17 ·
Extended in length

options...I'm wanting to buy the Moose Racing gear lever which claims to be 1" extention, but in which direction is it extended, who has one, what are their opinions, etc? :p
It is extended in length, from back to front. The distance from the attachment point to the rubber shifting tip. Longer is better! Unless you have small, short, stubby feet?:t1204:
 
#16 ·
On to more important things...some more goodies have arrived from overseas in the meantime! :D

First off the list is a Moose Racing mini route sheet scroll


A Navman GPS RAM ball mount...which I bought locally and will have to butcher properly to use as I intend, hehe! Well I initially bought a really cool one, but it seems that the US standard size is 1" and the chump of a US retailer fed me B/S about how that was global standard sizing. Very wrong it turns out, as we use 5/8" here...but my dogs loved being given a new chew toy! :p

 
#18 ·
I also received the wiring loom for my Navman GPS unit:


By pure chance while looking in a local camping store, I saw this Garmin 60 unit at a phenominal price...far below what I've seen it for, so had to pull the trigger! I'll do a proper write up about it very soon, as these suckers are not as simple as one might imagine to be useful ;)
 
#20 ·
Finally my heated seat pad and wiring loom arrived, which means that I can start to chop up all of the wiring and rebuild it to my exact requirements! :D I've been waiting on this item so that I can get cracking on the rest of the gizmos, and this week is where the fun begins! :D

 
#22 ·
Given that the bike is going to be used locally and internationally, an Australian national sticker was worthy of fitting, hehe!



Waterproof switches were also a necessity to isolate items and assist in trouble-shooting when out "whoop-whoop". I don't need all of them, but the deal was too good to say no to! :p

 
#23 ·
I'm awaiting on a host of other things which should arrive by the end of the week...lots of very cool items if I may say so! I'm very thankful that all of the electrical items and wiring looms have arrived, so that I can get busy modifying and installing them. :D I just wish that some US distributors weren't such thieves for postage...but was left with no alternative but to pay! :(

I've not had time to fit anything yet, but all of my spare time this week is dedicated to fitting what I have and what may arrive. The beast will start to take form! :D
 
#25 · (Edited)
I've not even ridden the bike more than 250klm's....i'll change it before the next big trip (only out of paranoia), but tbh there's nothing indicating the need to do such a mod. :p The engine is tight, doing the right thing, and hasn't given a hint of an issue.

I'm somewhat dubious about the need for the doohickey thing with regard to the update model tbh...haven't heard of anyone having an issue with it, and seems to be only a necessity out of experience from owners of earlier models.

I spoke at length with a couple of Kawasaki dealers to ensure that all of the recalls/campaigns were done, and mine has had everything done and shown no signs of any dramas...yay for pedantic previous owners! :D
 
#26 ·
I'll divulge in the manner of fitting the Happy Trails fairing/engine/sump guard. If I'm to be completely honest, this was a complete pain in the arse! They are clearly solid, but I was appalled at the effort required. :p

The instructions were really good to a point, but after only a few minutes they were totally useless...the pictures were not detailed enough, guess-work was needed, what bolts were to be used for certain purposes weren't clear, and the written instructions were complexing at the kindest.

Trying to follow directions and getting completely lost at what I was being told, I got very shitty at how bad the instructions were, and resorted to figuring things out for myself. If I had have used my intuition rather than following the instructions, I'd have done the job in 1/4 of the time...no kidding!
 
#27 ·
I screwed around for 4 hours trying to align things correctly (that's the whole package), and had to tighten and loosen many locknuts over and over to find a compromise. On the left hand side cross-brace, it contacts (in the cut-out area) with the lower-side of the fan mount, and on the right hand side, it rests in direct contact with the brace. As that was the best possible compromise, despite wasting hours of fiddling around, there is nothing more which I can do. The right hand side fairing guard is resting in direct contact with the fairing, and on the opposite side (left) there is 8mm of gap between the fairing and the guard. If I adjusted anything, the cross-bars fouled the fan assembly, was hard against the upright on the other side, or didn't make anything match up.

I have to say that there is no question in my mind that this system will support any hard hit, as the fit, finish and quality of welds is impeccable, but have to question the measurements of what I recieved...I'm likely to be taking the grinder and welder to a few items to ensure it fits correctly. I also question the need for the highway guards...they are an irrelevant feature and should be offered as an option only. They will be cut-off asap, and no-doubt add extra cost to the product to suit a minority.
 
#34 ·
Yeah, the HT guards are a pain in the ass to install and you'll never get them "even," but you should be able to at least get them to where they won't touch the plastic on either side.

In my opinion, the main thing with those guards is to ensure your routing and installation of those two flat support bars is done in a way that they won't cause collateral damage in the event the bars take an impact. They pass in close proximity to the fan, voltage regulator, wiring harnesses, etc.

If you ever get to "use" the guards, make sure you take a good post-spill look at everything in those areas to insure everything is okay.
 
#28 · (Edited)
The HT products are clearly well made, perfect welding, well thought out, incredibly fast postage to Aus, etc, but there are definitely some dumb over-sights which annoyed me.

I'll support my whinges with pics in the next couple of days to support my experiences. I'm not in any way trying to talk-down anyone, just portraying my views from someone with a mechanical background. ;)

Still harping on about the fairing guards, 2 of the bolts were over-sized and looked like shit when installed (they were replaced out of my collection). The 4 plastic screws for the Rallye screen are useless...the theory is for safety in the event of a crash and will snap away, but if I ever get to the stage of flying over the bars that's the bloody least of my concerns, and where the quality of your riding gear, your rider skill and ultimately your luck are your only means. Interchange these with proper stainless items without a second thought. ;)

Their Rallye screen had a bleedingly obvious screw-up, but thankfully is cheaply and easily fixed. The massive extra dashboard space to mount switches and gizmos is nigh on orgasmic for such a bike, but only providing 2 lower mounting points for security was a certain recipe for vibration central!!!!!!! I ended up cutting up some silicone racing coolant hose to wrap around the top-most part of the bracket to stop that racket. That worked a treat, but that was a seriously bad design!
 
#29 · (Edited)
Probably the ONE thing which shit me the most was the use of Torx bolts to secure the sump-guard. Not only are these types of bolts frequently destroyed by chumps, but given the nature of what they're there for, will clog up with dirt and be a total pain in the event to remove. The other thing which shit me off about installing this, was the sizing of said Torx bolts...I had to use a 1/4" ratchet, which is the weakest out of the aresenal, requires me to carry this size ratchet and a socket just for this purpose, and I want more torque to fix the #1 item to protect my sump. Expecting a 1/4 or 3/8 and adapter down to 1/4 size is a joke tbh!!!
 
#30 ·
The front brake and clutch levers feel like complete cheap, cast and manufacturing rights were thrown to the lowest bidder. I despise their feel, as they're tinny, lacking any substance nor contoured correctly. I also could not adjust these easily, so have a set of replacement levers which not only look better, but feel a lot more solid and are totally adjustable, due to arrive this week. This very issue is why I've not been keen to ride the bike...cheap cast rubbish does not transmit feeling of what you're doing! :S
 
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